The named defendants include Republican candidates for President, Donald J. Trump, for Vice President, J.D. Vance, and Ohio U.S. Senate candidate Bernie Moreno. The other named defends include Donald Trump, Jr., Ohio's Republican Attorney General Dave Yost, X (formerly Twitter) owner Elon Musk, Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA) and the State of Ohio.

The Complaint alleges that the defendants, with full knowledge of falsity, not only spread dangerous defamatory lies --- the false claim that Haitians were stealing and eating pet dogs and cats --- but have also engaged in hate speech, a contention, plaintiffs allege, that is bolstered by a federal judge's determination, in Segat v. Trump (2019), that then President Trump's decision to terminate Temporary Protected Status for Haitians was likely influenced by racial animus. The court based its conclusion in that case, in part, upon Trump's reference to Haiti as a "shithole country" and the former President's false claim that Haitians migrants were bringing AIDS to the U.S.

In addition to defamation per se, the Complaint alleges that the Defendants have engaged in a conspiracy to violate their civil rights, including the 14th Amendment right to Equal Protection under law. It goes on to allege defendants incited, aided and abetted violence against the Haitian residents of Springfield...

In seeking not only what could prove to be a significant claim for damages --- consider, for example, the $1.4 billion in defamation damages Alex Jones was ordered to pay to the families of the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre --- the Complaint sets forth significant factual allegations to support a request for a temporary restraining order, followed by preliminary and permanent injunctive relief that would prevent future defamatory remarks. The requests for injunctive relief are based upon factual allegations showing that the Springfield Haitians would be irreparably harmed if the defendants continued to publish their defamatory lies.

The federal Complaint describes Vance as "the ringleader who started the falsehoods against Haitian Migrants, stealing and consuming people's pets in Springfield, Ohio". That allegation finds support in what the UK's Guardian described as a "stunning admission" by Vance that he was willing "to create stories so that the...media actually pays attention."

The Complaint alleges that, on Sept 9, despite knowledge of the Haitians' lawful residency and despite the fact that city officials had debunked, as "baseless", a "pet eating" rumor, Vance knowingly and falsely described the Haitians as "illegal", repeated the pet eating lie "and accused them of spreading infectious diseases in the community." (Per the County Health Department, the Complaint notes, "cases of infectious disease [in Springfield] are at their lowest point in a decade").

After Vice President Kamala Harris taunted Trump about his crowds during a televised Sept. 12 debate that reached 67 million Americans, the Complaint notes, Trump blurted out: "They're eating the dogs, the people came in and they're eating the cats".

The Complaint alleges that "a barrage of threats started the next morning --- death threats against Springfield city officials and at least 36 bomb threats so far against schools, government buildings and healthcare facilities." It goes on to allege that even as the deadly threats to Haitian residents of Springfield and the community, along with the falsity of the pet-eating allegation, became widely known, Trump, Vance and the other named defendants, including Musk, reposted the defamatory lies on X.

After criminal charges were filed against Trump and Vance in Ohio state court by an advocacy group, The Haitian Bridge Alliance, not only on behalf of the Springfield Haitians but also on behalf the entirety of the Springfield community, the Complaint alleges that Rep. Higgins, Chair of the U.S. House Border Security and Enforcement Subcommittee, retaliated via a post on Twitter/X (emphasis in orig. text):

(Note: Because this statement, eventually deleted by Higgins, which erroneously describes candidates Trump and Vance as "our President and VP", was made on external media, its unlikely Higgins is shielded from liability by the Speech or Debate Clause of the U.S. Constitution.)

The Complaint seeks a court declaration that "Defendants' defamatory statements caused irreparable injuries to Plaintiffs, violate Plaintiffs' civil rights, and put Plaintiffs' lives in danger." It not only seeks an injunction preventing repetition of the defamatory lies, but also specifically seeks to enjoin "X and its CEO Elon Musk from continuing to publish and promote hateful and defamatory statements about Haitians."

While not included in the Complaint, the terror experienced by the Springfield Haitians could well be a precursor of the terror and emotional harms that would be experienced throughout the nation if Trump wins this year's Presidential election and makes good on his threat to carry out Gestapo-like arrests of between 15 and 20 million people, followed by mass incarceration and deportations.

Given the potential for grievous irreparable harm, it is certainly within the realm of possibility that a federal judge in Miami could issue a temporary restraining order or even a preliminary injunction in advance of the November 5 Presidential Election. The ultimate outcome of the case, especially the claim for damages, could very well hinge on the outcome of the Presidential Election.

Stay tuned!

Among the many stories, breaking and otherwise, on today's program...

• When the show began, the monster Hurricane Helene, barrelling toward a direct landfall near Tallahassee and the Big Bend region of Florida's panhandle, was already a dangerous Category 3. By show's end, it had become a terrifying Cat 4. As disturbingly, the storm began the day as a Cat 1! Thanks to record warm Gulf waters caused by man-made global warming, we have yet another case of deadly, rapid intensification for this storm. Experts also warn of an "unsurvivable" 20-foot storm surge on the Gulf Coast. The dangers beyond Florida, in already soaked southeastern states, are also quite serious and severe in the days ahead.

• After what Trump Republicans describe as Joe Biden's supposedly "weaponized" Department of Justice indicted and/or convicted Democratic U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (NJ), Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar (TX), and the President's own son Hunter Biden (twice) over the past year, federal prosecutors unsealed an indictment on Thursday against NYC's Democratic Mayor Eric Adams. The Mayor, who says he will not resign, was charged on five counts related to corruption on behalf of Turkey. If the Biden's federal government has been "weaponized" against Republicans, they sure have poor aim!

• But, you know who was actually very good at weaponizing the federal government against his political enemies? Yup, Donald Trump, as a deep dive from the NYTimes' Michael Schmidt (free link) detailed over the past weekend. Time and again, during his years in office, then President Trump demanded --- and often got --- criminal and civil investigations by DoJ and highly unusual and invasive audits by the IRS against his perceived political enemies, many of whom, if they worked in the government, were also improperly fired. Schmidt also summarizes (free link) how Trump unleashed his government against such perceived enemies as F.B.I Director James Comey and other senior FBI officials; Hilary Clinton and her 2016 campaign; Obama's Sec. of State John Kerry; his own attorney Michael Cohen; News organizations and reporters at CNN, WaPo and NYT; his own National Security Adviser John Bolton; and many others. And, as Schmidt reminds us, Trump has already stated this month that he plans to do it again if elected to another term.

• Looks like its a big day for corrupt NYC Mayors! Today the D.C. Court of Appeals permanently disbarred former Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani, after New York state also permanently revoked his license to practice law earlier this Summer. The disbarments are related to the disgraced former Mayor and federal proseuctor's false legal filings claiming election fraud, without actual evidence, following the 2020 election on behalf of the loser Donald Trump.

• In related news, even as jury selection was underway in a major defamation trial in Delaware pitting voting machine vendor Smartmatic against the rightwing propaganda outlet known as Newsmax, a last minute, still-confidential settlement was struck between the parties. As CNN reports today, "The settlement is the latest in a string of 2020 election defamation cases to reach an out-of-court agreement before trial. Fox News famously settled with Dominion Voting Systems last year for a record $787 million, and the far-right channel One America News settled with Smartmatic earlier this year." They also note that "Newsmax still faces a separate defamation lawsuit over similar claims that was filed by Dominion." As referenced during the show, here is one of BRAD BLOG's exclusive investigative reports from 2010 that disgraced former Trump attorney Sidney Powell cited (and bastardized) as part of her defamatory allegations against both Smartmatic and Dominion, as subsequently echoed by all the rightwing fake news outlets and discredited and now disbarred yutzes like Giuliani.

• Finally, as the deadly Hurricane Helene speeds toward Florida, Desi Doyen has our latest Green News Report, with news on both that storm and Hurricane John (which continues to pound Mexico); how global warming has made all of these storms much worse; and Joe Biden's promotion of climate action at both Climate Week in NYC and his final address to the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday...

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IN TODAY'S RADIO REPORT: Massive Hurricane Helene menaces Florida; Global warming doubled the odds of Central Europe's catastrophic flooding; PLUS: Biden promotes climate action at his final U.N. address and at Climate Week, but warns success is fragile... All that and more in today's Green News Report!

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Got comments, tips, love letters, hate mail? Drop us a line at GreenNews@BradBlog.com or right here at the comments link below. All GNRs are always archived at GreenNews.BradBlog.com.

IN 'GREEN NEWS EXTRA' (see links below): America's climate and economy are on the ballot; Hurricanes have changed. The way we prepare for them should, too; As Galveston faces rapid sea level rise, developers are building new condos; Extreme weather has a surprising impact on voters' attitudes about climate change; Another train car leaked dangerous chemicals in Ohio. Here's what to know; Cattle burn as 'monster' wildfires rage in Argentina ranchlands... PLUS: Global solar growth is on track for another record-breaking year... and much, MUCH more! ...

STORIES DISCUSSED ON TODAY'S 'GREEN NEWS REPORT'...

• Hurricane Helene menaces Florida:
• Hurricane Helene live updates: Storm intensifies as it takes aim at Florida (NBC News):
  
  Helene is expected to intensify and become a Category 4 hurricane before it makes landfall in Florida late tomorrow. A storm surge warning has been issued for the Florida Keys and most of Florida's west coast, signaling a likelihood of life-threatening inundation. Surges could reach up to 20 feet.
• Hurricane Helene forecast to explode into catastrophic Category 4 ahead of Florida landfall (CNN):
  
  Hurricane Helene will grow into a massive, sprawling monster as it tracks north – one that won’t just slam Florida, but also much of the Southeast...The National Weather Service in Tallahassee described the storm surge threat for Apalachee Bay as "catastrophic and/or potentially unsurvivable" in an update Wednesday.
• VIDEO: FEMA Prepping for "Multi State" Impacts from Helene (This Is Not Cool blog)
• Helene’s Worst Impacts Could be Inland (This Is Not Cool blog)
• VIDEO: Hurricane Helene on path for Florida with significant strengthening expected before landfall (CBS News)
• In the past 6 years, 4 major hurricanes have hit Florida (WKMG-Orlando)
• Uninsurable America: Climate change hits the insurance industry (Axios, 6/6/2023)
• Storm Surge: The Deadliest Threat (Weather Channel)
• Project 2025 calls for privatizing National Weather Service:
• VIDEO: Nation’s top weather and climate service faces potential political storm (PBS NewsHour),/li>
• Project 2025 plan calls for demolition of NOAA and National Weather Service (LA Times)
• Florida’s bracing for a major hurricane. This is why we need NOAA, not Project 2025 (Miami Herald)
• Hurricane John regenerates, will make 2nd landfall in Mexico:
• John strengthens into a hurricane again and threatens flash flooding and mudslides in parts of Mexico, forecasters say (AP)
• Back to hurricane strength, John soaks Mexico's Pacific coast (Reuters)
• Hurricane John's rapid intensification catches Mexico tourist hubs of Acapulco and Puerto Escondido off guard (AP)
• Central Europe floods made twice as likely by climate change:
• VIDEO: Deadly flooding in Central Europe made twice as likely by climate change (AP):
  
  The World Weather Attribution study also warned that in a world with even more warming — specifically 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) of warming since preindustrial times, the likelihood of ferocious four-day storms would grow by 50% compared to current levels. Such storms would grow in intensity, too, the authors found.
• Climate change and high exposure increased costs and disruption to lives and livelihoods from flooding associated with exceptionally heavy rainfall in Central Europe (World Weather Attribution)
• Climate change made Central Europe floods more likely: study (DW News):
  
  "Yet again, these floods highlight the devastating results of fossil fuel-driven warming," said Joyce Kimutai, the study's lead author and a climate researcher at Imperial College London. "Until oil, gas and coal are replaced with renewable energy, storms like Boris will unleash even heavier rainfall, driving economy-crippling floods."
• OPEC predicts world will remain addicted to oil:
• No peak oil demand 'on the horizon', phaseout a 'fantasy': OPEC (AFP)
• OPEC boosts long-term oil demand outlook, driven by developing world growth (Reuters)
• Climate Week news, protests and events:
• VIDEO: Climate Week NYC hopes to bring solutions amid a growing eco-anxiety (NBC News)
• At least 24 people arrested at climate protest outside Citigroup building in Tribeca (ABC-New York),/li>
• Activists chained themselves to the Mass. State House to protest lack of climate action. But does anyone care? (Boston Globe)
• Climate Week NYC: The Auto The Auto Industry’s Green Revolution (WPIX-New York)
• How Climate Week in New York Turned Into 'Burning Man for Climate Geeks' (NY Times):
  
  Mx.Gonia said both the "SAVE HER!" drag shows at Brooklyn’s House of Yes sold out quickly, evidence that there was space in the climate movement for more than doom and gloom. "Gloom is a very inspiring motivator in the short term," she said. "It's not an inspiring motivator in the longer term. This is not some toxic positivity movement. This is 'hey, we know the problems are real.' So are the solutions, right? Right."
• In NYC And Elsewhere, Climate Protesters Say Action Isn’t Fast Enough (AP)
• Biden warns climate progress is fragile at United Nations and Climate Week :
• Biden on his climate legacy: ‘We did it’ (Politico/MSN)"
  
  “Kamala and I have pursued an ambitious climate policy focused on growth,” Biden said to about 200 people at the Bloomberg Global Business Forum in the Plaza Hotel. “We were told it couldn’t get done. But we did it.”
• Biden celebrates climate wins and warns of reversals under Trump: (NY times):
  
  At an event in New York, the president said federal investments in climate action would be at risk if former President Donald J. Trump retook the White House.
• VIDEO: Biden farewell UN address (PBS NewsHour):
  
  President Joe Biden declared in his final address to the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday that the U.S. must not retreat from the world, as Israel and Hezbollah militants in Lebanon edged toward all-out war and Israel’s bloody operation against Hamas in Gaza neared the one-year mark.
• VIDEO: President Biden delivers remarks on climate at the Bloomberg Global Business Forum (Twitter)
• Transcript: Remarks by President Biden Before the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (White House)
• Transcript: Remarks by President Biden on Climate at the Bloomberg Global Business Forum | New York, NY (White House)
• Biden’s final UN address: ‘There is so much more I want to get done’ (Politico)

'GREEN NEWS EXTRA' (Stuff we didn't have time for in today's audio report)...

For a comprehensive roundup of daily environmental news you can trust, see the Society of Environmental Journalists' Daily Headlines page

• America’s Climate and Economy Are on the Ballot (The American Prospect)
• Hurricanes have changed. The way we prepare for them should, too. (CNN)
• As Galveston faces rapid sea level rise, developers are building new condos (Washington Post)
• Global solar growth is on track for another record-breaking year (Electrek),
• Extreme Weather Has Had a Surprising Impact on Voters’ Attitudes About Climate Change (Mother Jones)
• Judge approves $600 million settlement for residents near fiery East Palestine, Ohio train derailment (CBS News)
• Another Train Car Leaked Chemicals In Ohio. Here’s What To Know About It. (Washington Post)
• Azerbaijan Offers To Fund Climate-Vulnerable Islands' Delegates At COP29 (Reuters)
• Cattle Burn As ‘Monster’ Wildfires Rage In Argentina Ranchlands (Reuters)
• VIDEO; Comedy: Grandad, What was it Like to Be Addicted to Automobiles? (This Is Not Cool blog)
• Tweak To Mortgage Rules Could Save Homeowners Thousands In Energy Bills (Grist)
• How to power your home through an outage without a gas generator (Washington Post)
• VIDEO: John Oliver on Trump's Project 2025: Blueprint for the Death of Democracy (This Is Not Cool blog)
• Is the Atlantic Overturning Circulation Approaching a Tipping Point? (The Oceanography Society)
• How Oil Companies Manipulate Journalists (Drilled)
• Abrupt reduction in shipping emission as an inadvertent geoengineering termination shock produces substantial radiative warming (Nature)
• How To Spot 5 Of The Fossil Fuel Industry's Biggest Disinformation Tactics (Guardian)
• The Oceans We Knew Are Already Gone (The Atlantic)
• Plug-in hybrids vs. electric cars: We did the math on which is better for you (Washington Post)
• How to electrify your life when you rent (The Verge)
• Complete Series: Farmers Under Attack for Supporting Clean Energy (This Is Not Cool blog)
• Feeling Overwhelmed About Going All-Electric at Home? Here's How to Get Started (Inside Climate News)
• Feeling Hopeless About the Climate? Try Our 30-Day Action Plan (The Revelator)
• Climate Change Will Force a New American Migration (Pro Publica)
• Exxon's Snake Oil: 100 years of deception (Columbia Journalism Review)
• Project Drawdown: 100 Solutions to Reverse Global Warming (Drawdown.org)

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